The growth of localisation which developed strongly in the early 2020s, helped the community to "engage with each other".
When people shopped locally they got to know the shopkeeper who lived locally and they also met and chatted with their neighbours.
Moreover there was a realisation that happiness came from involvement with others.
The change to a super council gave reason to reflect on organisation of the community. With only one representative at the super council, it was necessary to rethink how the voice of the community could be heard.
Firstly recognising that the rivers of the Shire were the focal identity of the community led to the realisation that the catchment of these rivers should be the boundary of the Bellingen community.
The old idea of voting for councillors as the voice of the community was replaced by the formation of "Community Catchment Custodians". Over a period of time, elders were identified by public opinion and invited to meet as the custodians.
Their determinations are used to back up the super council representative when presenting the case for action and spending in the Bellingen Catchment Area.
However as the extent of services provided by Government directly affects the rates paid by occupants, the degree of self sufficiency of the community increased dramatically.